Mashrafe Mortaza again tests positive for COVID-19

Mashrafe Mortaza again tests positive for COVID-19: The former Bangladeshi captain has tested positive for the second time in as many weeks.

Former Bangladesh captain Mashrafe Mortaza has once again tested positive for COVID-19. Mortaza, 36, had undergone a Test a couple of weeks ago in Dhaka.

Mortaza had become a high-profile name from the cricketing fraternity to test positive for coronavirus after the likes of former Pakistan captain Shahid Afridi, former batsman Taufeeq Umar, former first-class player Zafar Sarfaraz and former Scotland spinner Majid Haq.

Afridi, 40, took to his social media handles on the day before yesterday to announce that he has tested negative for COVID-19.

Mashrafe Mortaza again tests positive for COVID-19

While COVID-19 patients tend to recover in a two-week period, Mortaza taking more time isn’t a concern for BCB chief physician Debashish Chowdhury as he assured Mortaza’s well-wishers to not panic.

“He [Mashrafe Mortaza] will give another test on eighth [July 8] and he might be cleared at that point of time. In most cases the patient is cleared by 14 days but that is not mandatory. Someone might take more time,” Chowdhury said in a statement.

Mortaza, who last played for Bangladesh against Zimbabwe at home in March, had actively participated in generating funds and helping COVID-19 workers during the testing times. Mortaza’s bracelet, which he wore during international matches for years, was auctioned at a price around $50,000 in May.

After Mortaza’s test result, as many as 10 Pakistani players had tested positive for coronavirus right before they were scheduled to travel to England. While six of them have recovered, four are still suffering from the virus.